Key takeaways
- An empty passage is part of the commercial plan.
- Compare opportunities from the same starting position.
Draw the positioning leg first
Before comparing two cargoes, place the vessel's expected open position on the schedule. Connect that position to each proposed loading area. A strong-looking cargo rate can be less attractive once additional positioning time is included.
- Establish where and when the vessel is expected to become available.
- Record the proposed passage to each loading option.
- Carry its time and relevant costs into the comparison.
Keep assumptions about routing and waiting separate from confirmed voyage instructions. This gives the commercial reviewer a way to test a different employment choice without rewriting the underlying operational record.
Common mistakes
Do not start every estimate at the loading port when the vessel must first reposition. Avoid assuming that a ballast passage has the same consumption profile as a laden passage; use the vessel information appropriate to the proposed condition.
Where Zeaclub fits
Zeaclub provides a multi-party shared workspace for owners, charterers, brokers and port agents.
Zeaclub offers digitalised procedures across the voyage workflow.
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Educational information only; not legal, financial or trading advice. Contract wording and applicable rules control. Verify current requirements and obtain qualified advice before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Does ballast mean the vessel carries no weight?
No. Ballast water and other onboard weights remain relevant.
Is a ballast leg commercially irrelevant?
No. It affects availability, cost and the timing of the next opportunity.
Should every comparison use the same starting point?
Yes, unless the reason for a different boundary is made explicit.
Can a ballast estimate set navigation instructions?
No. Commercial assumptions remain subject to the proper operational and safety process.